© 2012 Mono No Aware 2012-02-07T13:54:11+00:00 Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=128&to=128 2011-07-30T21:46:06+00:00

I had a Sony W17 point and shoot camera (Camera#1), which died due to a crushed screen. I figured it couldn't be too hard to pull apart and replace the screen, so went about searching eBay for somebody else's broken W5/7/17 that I could harvest the (hopefully working) screen from. The first was a W17 (Camera#2), which had a broken lens. I immediately destroyed the screen by snapping the little orange cable coming off the screen of as I was dismantling it. So I kept the bits and bought another, this time a W5 (Camera#3). I managed to transfer the screen from the W5 into my original W17 (they're exactly the same part). Halfway through, I realised it was only half of the screen that was made useless by the broken cable, and this W5 had a working lens. So I went about putting all of the pieces together into the body and main board of Camera#2. Take a look for yourself what the pictures come out like when you put a 5 megapixels lens into a camera with a main board expecting to see 7 megapixels! Amazing :D

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=127&to=127 2011-07-30T21:35:35+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=126&to=126 2011-07-30T21:35:05+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=125&to=125 2011-07-30T21:34:38+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=124&to=124 2011-07-30T21:34:25+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=123&to=123 2011-07-30T21:33:13+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=122&to=122 2011-07-30T21:33:00+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=121&to=121 2011-07-30T21:32:40+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=120&to=120 2011-07-30T21:32:22+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=119&to=119 2011-07-30T21:31:39+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=118&to=118 2011-07-30T21:30:54+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=117&to=117 2010-09-05T16:15:35+00:00

We spent a week recording three tracks (Figure 8's, Undertows and The Man Who Mapped The Oceans) with Dan Austin at Bath Moles.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=116&to=116 2010-08-06T00:38:16+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=115&to=115 2010-08-04T21:44:13+00:00

Progress continues on Dolittle Album #2, this time with an accordian and sleigh bells.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=114&to=114 2010-08-04T21:43:06+00:00

Photos from Eli and my holiday in Jersey.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=113&to=113 2010-07-13T22:05:46+00:00

A photo of my pottery being exhibited at my college, at the end of my first year.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=112&to=112 2010-07-13T22:03:01+00:00

A few favourites from the Saatchi Gallery in London.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=111&to=111 2010-05-30T20:50:50+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=110&to=110 2010-05-30T20:48:51+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=109&to=109 2010-04-08T22:15:47+00:00

Mr G and I began recording Dolittle's second album last month. Here are some photos of the progress ...

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=108&to=108 2010-03-21T17:17:57+00:00

Here are a few things I've been making at my pottery evening classes. First up is a small red earthenware maraca/shaker thing. Was originally two thumb pots, pushed together with tiny pieces of rolled up clay (wrapped in newspaper) inside. I then burnished it with the back of a spoon and we gave it a second firing in the bottom of a dustbin full of sawdust, which gave it the blackening effect. Next, there is a pentagonal slab pot. Cranks clay, textured and slips applied, fired once and then glazed with two different types (wish I had written down which two!) Then there is a sculptural piece, using white stoneware, which sufferred slightly from a lean, so I've currently got some card under the base to hold it up. Fired once and then glazed with a 'dry blue' glaze before firing again.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=107&to=107 2010-03-21T17:10:22+00:00

This is a small wooden case that I've made for two of my Joe Meek MQ1 preamp units that weren't enjoying the electrostatic interference found within computers. I bought a plank of European Oak from www.britishhardwoodsonline.com as they were kind enough to help me select an appropriate piece of wood for the job. The case itself is just made up of four sides, with a back piece that is hinged for access inside the unit (in case anything needs replacing/plugging in etc.). I made the box large enough for me to panel mount to XLR sockets at the front so I don't have two cables hanging out of the back (if you know the MQ1 you'll know what I mean), and also to hold a small 12v power supply inside as well, with a Molex connector as these units are designed to be powered by a computer power supply. To finish, I waxed the outside to bring out the grain a little, and added four rubber feet to the base to stop it getting scratched up or anything.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=106&to=106 2010-02-15T04:19:34+00:00

So, after being treated to a surprise birthday gig to celebrate my turning 30, I got whisked away by my lovely girlfriend to the Elan Valley in Wales.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=105&to=105 2009-07-27T04:32:49+00:00

Not many photos, but this was well worth seeing if you're a Banksy fan. And the queues were much shorter than was made out, no longer than 25 minutes when we went mid afternoon.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=104&to=104 2009-07-27T04:12:08+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=103&to=103 2009-02-07T03:42:13+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=102&to=102 2008-10-21T19:15:07+00:00

My brother G and his girlfriend Kat's newborn baby. He was born on October 16th 2008, and only two days old here. He's a little bit older now.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=101&to=101 2008-10-21T19:12:33+00:00

Possibly one of the most exciting things about holidays, is hunting down the space invaders.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=100&to=100 2008-10-21T19:11:25+00:00

We had an unexpected Champagne Cruise, due to the Eurostar exploding (long story).

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=99&to=99 2008-10-21T19:10:37+00:00

The Eiffel tower, which was far far bigger than I ever expected.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=98&to=98 2008-10-21T19:09:46+00:00

We visited the Louvre for a day, which was far too gigantic to get around in a single day.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=97&to=97 2008-10-21T19:08:55+00:00

Eli and I spent a week in Paris a little while ago - having never been there before, myself. Things of note: a] There appeared to be cafés named after me. b] I made friends with a particularly detailed looking fly, so had my photo taken with it (look closely). c] Eli found a rock. d] Artoyz is my favourite shop in France - I bought a glow in the dark DIY Munny.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=96&to=96 2008-09-30T22:30:01+00:00

The Winchell Riots at Wakestock 2008.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=95&to=95 2008-09-30T21:53:19+00:00

The Winchell Riots at Truck Festival 2008.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=94&to=94 2008-06-15T21:11:35+00:00

I recently treated myself to one of the finest (in my opinion) bass effects pedals available - the MoogerFooger Bass MuRF. Here's how it is described in the instruction manual: 'It contains two basic functions: a 7-band array of resonant bandpass filters, a shelving (lowpass) filter and an “Animation” module that generates sequences of envelopes that modulate the levels of the 8 filters.' It basically creates arpeggios from an input signal and pushes them through filters. It's very synthy and un-digital, which is right up my alley. Anyway, along with the cool sounds it makes, it also has four additional input jack sockets on the back that can have expression pedals inserted in to control four of the pedal's main functions - Rate, Mix, Envelope and LFO/Sweep. This got me thinking that you could potentially have four expression pedals all connected to the MuRF doing different things; and also that you probably wouldn't ever use all of them at once. So I built a pedal/switch that could take the output of a single expression pedal and output it to the four separate inputs on the MuRF, with a rotary switch to select which one is currently in use. I haven't tried it yet, as I don't have an expression pedal, but fingers crossed it *should* work. Here it is:

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=93&to=93 2008-06-14T20:01:44+00:00

I had my Fender Jazz modified to look truly 70's in style with white pearl block inlays on the frets. When I bought the bass back in 2005 I was really looking for an original 1970's one, and even went as far as buying one (which turned out to be a little too far gone than I had hoped). That one was a 1977, all black with maple neck and white pearl block inlays on the neck, but soon got sold on for a small loss when I decided I would buy a brand new one and put my own wear on it over the next however many years. But anyway, I still get a little jealous seeing other basses with the block inlays, so thought I would go about finding a respectable Luthier that could fit some into my bass. A lot of people suggested I should simply replace the neck with a ready-inlaid licensed replacement or something, but that wasn't what this was about - I wanted to keep the bass as original as possible as I have grown quite attached to it over the last few years/tours. I was recommended Knight Guitars, Surrey, on one of the forums and went with them. They turned it around within a week, had very reasonable prices and were an absolute pleasure to deal with. Here are the results ...

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=92&to=92 2008-05-23T22:38:14+00:00

We (The Winchell Riots) spent three days last weekend at Modern World Studios in Tetbury with Dan Austin, recording our next release 'Kandahar Road'. The studio was awesome, we had a lot of fun and the track came out just how we wanted it to. Here are some photos, mainly from the second and third days (I forgot my camera) after most of it had been recorded already, so very few of us actually playing anything!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=91&to=91 2008-03-31T19:55:19+00:00

Brighton by day and by night.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=90&to=90 2008-02-10T20:27:15+00:00

The 8th February 2008 was my 28th birthday, so Eli and I spent the next day visiting beaches around the Gower in Swansea and trying to find a cave with a particularly old lady in.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=89&to=89 2008-02-10T20:25:29+00:00

The Winchell Riots' first tour: 18th Jan 2008 - Camden Barfly 23rd Jan 2008 - Glasgow Box 24th Jan 2008 - Bath Moles 25th Jan 2008 - High Wycombe White Horse 26th Jan 2008 - Liverpool Carling Academy 29th Jan 2008 - Newcastle Head of Steam 30th Jan 2008 - Manchester Retro Bar 31st Jan 2008 - Bristol Louisiana

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=88&to=88 2008-02-10T20:21:34+00:00

Christmas at the Leicester household.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=87&to=87 2008-02-10T20:21:03+00:00

The Winchell Riots recording at Truck Studios in Oxford. Three days and three songs - 'Cathedrals', 'The Man Who Mapped The Oceans' and 'I'd Lower You Down'.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=86&to=86 2008-02-10T20:19:20+00:00

Photos from our Dolittle show in Bolton.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=85&to=85 2008-02-10T20:18:16+00:00

Photos from our Oxford Carling Academy show supporting ILikeTrains.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=84&to=84 2007-09-27T15:21:27+00:00

Some shots from our Truck festival - our second ever show.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=83&to=83 2007-09-27T15:09:21+00:00

A few shots from our first Winchell Riots gig at the Wheatsheaf in Oxford. Excuse the sweating - it was HOT!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=82&to=82 2007-09-27T14:54:34+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=81&to=81 2007-09-27T14:47:47+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=80&to=80 2007-09-27T14:35:37+00:00

Some shots of Montpellier itself.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=79&to=79 2007-09-27T14:30:47+00:00

We went on holiday to the South of France this year, via the Eurostar and TGV, which was a lot of fun. Our friend Ox tagged along from London onwards, although I'm not sure he was dressed that well for the beach ...

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=78&to=78 2007-05-31T22:01:38+00:00

Photos from our (Dolittle) show with Miles Hunt on 22nd May. I can't say why, but it felt like one of our best ones yet ... maybe it's starting with a new song that does it!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=77&to=77 2007-04-21T14:31:01+00:00

A couple of weekends ago, we travelled down to Poole to collect Eli's bike that had been being fixed down that way under warranty. Down on the Saturday on the both on my DR350 and back up on the Sunday, me on the DR and Eli on her Bros. Here are the photos ... just had to stop for the sunset on the way back!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=76&to=76 2007-04-06T15:53:34+00:00

Photos from our Mr G and Rich gig at the Two Pigs in Cheltenham. It was the Final Wasp Factory Recordings/Chaos Engine gig. Five bands played, we were second on, so it was a pretty early one - but pretty rockin' anyway! And no broken strings this time ...

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=75&to=75 2007-04-06T15:34:32+00:00

Photos from our Port Mahon gig with King Kool last week, unfortunately cut short by an unruly E string. I have spares now.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=74&to=74 2006-11-05T13:15:48+00:00

Last year we ventured up to Alexandra Palace for the Fireworks display, which left me wondering how an open space could be ram packed full of people, so full you could barely squeeze between people to walk around. So this year we decided to head up to Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath to see the displays across London. It was a little foggy, but pleasant all the same.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=73&to=73 2006-10-29T21:58:06+00:00

We spent the day in Richmond Park today - we listened to some new CDs in the car on the journey there, had some lunch including an orange chocolate muffin, saw some squirrels and some particularly friendly deer and took some nice photos.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=72&to=72 2006-10-29T21:51:39+00:00

We went to King Kool's first London gig the other night. It was at a place called Leonard's-EC1 in Finsbury - strange place but always a pleasure to see Dan.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=71&to=71 2006-10-29T21:46:39+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=70&to=70 2006-10-08T17:07:18+00:00

... of being a passenger.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=69&to=69 2006-09-20T22:29:53+00:00

I thought, maybe if I had a new deck, with my own design on it, I'd be able to skate ...

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=68&to=68 2006-08-12T23:28:12+00:00

Future of The Left are Falco and Jack from Mclusky, along with Kelson from Jarcrew on Bass. They're doing a small tour in September and playing some secret warm up gigs in the meantime, under different names. I think the first couple of gigs were Cardiff way, but tonight they were playing as 'Redneck Deadneck' just down the road from me at the Buffalo Bar. They were most excellent - great riffs and songs that go places you wouldn't expect them to. I like it.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=67&to=67 2006-07-30T14:53:56+00:00

Photos from our Dolittle gig last night at the Half Moon, Herne Hill. We were supporting The Wonder Stuff, as it was Miles' 40th, and an all round fantastic night. The venue was nice, the soundman did a fantastic job with us, and we played one of our best gigs yet I think.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=66&to=66 2006-07-08T10:54:39+00:00

Photos from our Mr G and Rich gig at the Cellar the other day - just catching up!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=65&to=65 2006-06-10T22:36:06+00:00

We went to see Phil from Fell City Girl doing an acoustic slot at The Social earlier in the week, which was fantastic. It's good living close to where people play music.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=64&to=64 2006-05-30T23:57:18+00:00

We spent most of Saturday at Vada Studios in Stratford-Upon-Avon beginning to mix our Dolittle album. There was some touching up of vocals and a bit of bass here and there. There was a lot of fruit, including red bananas. There was some inevitable 'trying out/modelling' of potential new guitars for G and myself to buy. And the album is going to sound good.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=63&to=63 2006-05-30T23:50:28+00:00

As it was Eli's birthday last week, we went to see what was suggested to be PJ Harvey's only European performance this year at the Hay On Wye festival. It was a bit of a get to the front of the queue and get the best seats at the front, which we did (fourth row!) although the row infront of us was almost entirely empty as it was 'reserved' for crew [?]. PJ Harvey was fantastic doing her solo show. So very intimate and informal, she was joking and chatting to the audience, and we were even treated to four (i think) of her new piano based songs from her next album. It's quite incredible, how her songs can be brought back down to being just simple rhythms on the guitar or a few notes on an organ, yet still sound ace!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=62&to=62 2006-05-06T15:58:18+00:00

We played at the Cellar in Oxford the other day, supporting The Suffrajets. It was an Oxford Indie Society Vertigo night, so it was rammed full, which is the best way to play a gig. I had forgotten how much fun it is playing at the Cellar - great sound, low ceilings and good lights!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=61&to=61 2006-04-24T23:13:51+00:00

I finally got around (or got the courage up) to putting brush to vinyl figure and DIY-ing my DIY Toyer Qee that Eli bought me for Christmas! Painting was an enjoyment I haven't experienced for a while, but only up until the point at which final detail decisions had to be made, when I began to enjoy painting less. I have named him 'Retch', as I painted him to be wearing my clothes, have brown eyes, a shaved head - all that sort of stuff. The photos should display in the order that they were taken, spanning throughout Sunday afternoon and into the evening a bit. His t-shirt logo was finished just a moment ago (Monday) as the yellow didn't dry in time to paint over last night.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=60&to=60 2006-04-21T20:41:28+00:00

We played as Mr G and Rich at the Pleasure Unit in Bethnal Green last night, with some other bands. It was fun and we turned up loud, so here are the photos.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=59&to=59 2006-03-29T21:02:52+00:00

1. A man in yellow came to cut down a post that was outside our flat, so we rescued the person's bike that was currently chained to it. 2. A blue-tit squeezed it's way through a tiny hole in our bathroom and proceeded to repeatedly headbutt the mirror. After we covered everything that emitted light with towels and t-shirts, we managed to catch him in a shoe box and let him free out of our bedroom window.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=58&to=58 2006-03-19T23:18:29+00:00

This was the final date of our tour, and a little bit strange as I had slept at home the night before. Bristol Bierkeller sort of felt like the end of the tour as I went home afterwards, but then there was this extra show to do. Islington Academy was however the finest show we put on. Luckily this was the one that Eli came to, and so she kindly took photos for us. It was the perfect end to possibly the best week and a half of my life.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=57&to=57 2006-03-19T23:10:54+00:00

It was great to see friends.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=56&to=56 2006-03-19T23:07:39+00:00

I vowed to never go back to Porstmouth again in my life after a man decided he didn't want me to be alive anymore, but then I don't think I thought I was going to be playing at the Wedgewood Rooms at that point, so I made an exception. The night was sold out before we arrived, and the lovely promoters even went to the trouble of cooking a huge roast dinner for everybody. That was one of the most delicious meals I can remember, but that may have been relative to the previous few days' food intake. I ate so much I had to lie down for 5 minutes before we played.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=55&to=55 2006-03-19T23:02:36+00:00

We woke up in the Bolton Travelodge to the sounds of blizzards and icy roads and sideways blowing snow and everything you don't want when you're about to drive across the Pennines! We wheel-spun for about half a mile up a hill, and then hit the motorway and it cleared up a bit. Afraid I was gripping the sides too hard to take photos of the exciting bit. I also declared after winning a crazy frog with sound on my third go on one of those grabber machines, that it was the start of a good day. The gig in the evening probably wasn't our best, but it was entertaining having to go out of the venue and down an alley to get to the stage. G and I were also treated to the sights of a pinball machine being dismantled followed by probably the most millions of points it has ever seen being racked up. Ange put it down to 'mis-spent youth'.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=54&to=54 2006-03-19T22:45:06+00:00

The Bolton show was put on by Si Badvibes, in what appears from the outside and surrounding pubs to be a fight-lodge, but run by people who want to do something good with it, with live music involved, which is always a good thing. All of our song names were written out on postcards for audience members to choose from, which somehow, through some strange laws of randomness, came out with a great set. We had a fantastic time!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=53&to=53 2006-03-19T22:34:47+00:00

As we weren't able to play the Newcastle show, Ange and I thought it would be a good idea to watch the Wonder Stuff's show anyway, as we hadn't managed to see a full set at any of the dates yet. They were good, the venue was good, but incredibly hot, and there was some amazing metal air-guitar going on in the main hall after the show.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=52&to=52 2006-03-19T22:31:18+00:00

Glasgow was the highlight of the first half of the tour. We were called up about 30 minutes South of Glasgow to be told the promoters had no idea we were meant to be playing, which was a shock and also a worry as we had the following day off due to the Newcastle gig being an early start. Not playing Glasgow would have meant two days of not being paid, but staying in Travelodges and buying food and things. Les Johnson, the Wonder Stuff's tour manager was however brilliant and managed to shift the night about a bit, cutting sets short, so we could play what turned out to be a frantic but energised five-song set. We also found sunglasses backstage. I was surprised to find however, that I didn't like Glasgow much, as I felt the people in the town stared a little too much.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=51&to=51 2006-03-19T22:23:47+00:00

My illness found it's spiritual home in Manchester. I thought I was going to die. Even though we walked on stage a mere 10 minutes after doors, to a maximum of 10 people in the room, we walked off stage 30 minutes later to a good 150/200 applauding people. That was a nice feeling. Seeing The Wonder Stuff doing their encores from just off the side of the stage was particularly memorable too. On stage sounds are always the most exciting.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=50&to=50 2006-03-19T22:17:44+00:00

Our Dolittle tour supporting The Wonder Stuff began a touch later than expected, due to unforseen illnesses, which seemed to hang around amongst the three of us for the next week and a half. We were meant to begin in Exeter on the 5th March, but instead joined up with the tour in Nottingham on the 7th. This is us in the car on the way from London to Nottingham, at the rescue rooms, backstage, in the car travelling at hyperspeed to Manchester, where we were to stay for two nights, and some mouth numbing green fluid that appeared to help.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=49&to=49 2006-02-26T22:50:41+00:00

This weekend was spent buying a swanky new car, which has done about 170000 'less' miles than my current one. I was informed, by somebody who did the numbers, that my current car has gone around the world about 6 times. The most exciting part has to be the MP3 CD stereo that came with it though. G and I also rehearsed, and began work on a new song, which is sounding good already, and then took some awkward looking photos without any hands.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=48&to=48 2006-02-17T23:38:11+00:00

Here is my new Talking Heads 'Brick' Boxset that Eli bought for me for my Birthday. It is basically all of the Talking Heads albums remastered onto DualDiscs, which have DVD surround 7.1 'shit! who's sneaking up behind me with a guitar' sound on one side and the remastered stereo CD versions on the other. There are lots of extras too! And it all comes in a white plastic box with all of the song titles extruded from all sides. This is me, enjoying the delights of 'Sax and Violins' at lunchtime on Thursday. Don't look at the banana.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=47&to=47 2006-02-14T18:04:12+00:00

I had two arrivals in the post yesterday. The first was a memory stick for a digital camera I didn't yet own, followed soon after by a sparkly new digital camera that I did then own! Quite unforseeingly, I selected the cheapest delivery option on Amazon, which rather than actually taking longer to get to you, seems to just get posted 5 days after you order it. So I had a whole bunch of days of staring at the Google image results for 'Sony DSC W17' and reading rather too many mis-spelt, entirely capitalised reviews. But now it is sitting in front of me, on my desk, fully charged and full to the brim with 2gb of memory card, with buttons and settings galore. Even sepia! Bye bye to scratchy mobile phone camera photos!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=46&to=46 2006-01-23T23:14:52+00:00

This weekend was spent at Miles' house again, this time for Ange and G to work through their vocals for the album. Being a non-vocalist however, there was littel for me to contribute with, except for a shiny theramin refrain in the middle of 'Things She Hates'. WoooooooOoooooooOooooooOooooo ... a bit like that. I played a lot of Tony Hawk's American Sk8land on my Nintendo DS. Sadly however, as with many handheld games, they don't take long to complete and I am at the final level already, although I've always found the Tony Hawk games to have amazing replayability value, so it should last a while longer. Photos include: Our regular coffee/cake/Time Crisis stop at Hopwood services at the end of the motorway where we stumbled across a entire scale model of the services (including the whole car park and all buildings in the area), a particularly enjoyable orange cheese cake and Ange's new Airstreamer guitar that he got for Christmas.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=45&to=45 2006-01-18T23:10:02+00:00

So, last weekend was the first of three weekends of recording our Dolittle album, with Miles Hunt (from the Wonder Stuff) producing at his house in Shropshire. We arrived on Friday night, late, and sat around discussing how it was all going to work, how we like to play etc etc. Saturday was spent recording all 13 tracks of bass, which quite clearly makes it a good day. Sunday was then dedicated to G's acoustic guitar parts, all double tracked, and sounding very shiny for it! Miles has been working extremely hard on drum sounds all through the week, emailing mp3s of rough mixes, which are sounding great. The photos are a bit crap, but I felt something should be up here about it. More next week, when Ange will be with us too, hopefully getting all of his vocals down.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=44&to=44 2005-12-29T23:26:15+00:00

Christmas was great this year for two reasons. Firstly, I don't think I felt anything less than fully bloated for the entire 72 hour period I was back at home. And Secondly, lots of ace presents came my way. In no particular order: a 15 year old Bonsai tree, which I must not kill, an 8" DIY Qee ready to paint, a hand wired all tube distortion pedal, the new Banksy book, a book called 'Vinyl Will Kill' and some cool Star Wars models with big heads. As well as this I got some money to go and buy a nice warm coat for the Winter - something I realise, although I am now 25 and almost 26, I have never actually bought. That's today's task. Here are the photos of my Christmas.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=43&to=43 2005-12-10T16:50:45+00:00

There it is. The Borderline, where we are playing as Dolittle on Monday (12th Dec). Located on a road 'completely' outlined with double yellow lines. Just watch me get a ticket whilst unloading the gear.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=42&to=42 2005-12-02T09:37:23+00:00

So it was a Sunday afternoon and I was out buying coloured paper. Having already sat in a huge queue of cars waiting to go into a retail park somewhere around Tottenham, I decided to go to Staples corner. There weren't going to be queues there and I knew how to get there. Then came the task of actually getting into the place. I pulled off of the North Circular at the Staples corner exit, drove down the sliproad to the roundabout, took a left as it seemed to be the only exit in the general direction of Staples. I found myself going up a road that had no right turn to where I wanted to go, which was handy. I proceeded to 'wang' it around in a petrol station and 'here' is where it all happened ... Becuase it was Sunday afternoon, most of the journey to this point had been in and out of bus lanes, which were restricted Mon-Sat 7am-7pm, and that had been pretty handy. So naturally, I pulled up to the back of a queue of cars that are all trying to get back onto the roundabout that I've just been on and thought 'there's a bus lane ... and I want to go left in just a moment ... no point in me waiting around here just to go left when there's a perfectly useable bus lane on the left'. But no! Just as I pulled into it, I saw a sign saying 'Bus Lane - All The Frickin' Time!', think 'bum, better get out of here ...', tried to yank it back out except there was a space wagon in the way, and then I saw the camera. 'Spensive paper. I hope nobody at Transport for London gets any presents this year.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=41&to=41 2005-11-26T19:42:51+00:00

So here it is - my new blog. I would like to thank moblog.co.uk for hosting my photo blog for the last 6 months or so, and for giving me the idea to make this site. Seeing as it is strictly a photo blog, I should really include some pictures with this post. So here are Eli and I working our way towards the end of Wario Land on the Virtual Boy. We did it too, with ALL of the treasures!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=40&to=40 2005-11-06T19:04:08+00:00

We saw these with 16,000 other people at Alexandra Palace in Hornsea, so a few more won't hurt!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=39&to=39 2005-11-04T21:14:41+00:00

We (Mr G and Rich) recorded a new 6 track E.P. at Gravity Shack Studios in Tooting the other day. We couldn't have hoped for it to have gone better than it did, Pat Collier (Producer) and Jessica Corcoran (Engineer) worked together amazingly well, incredibly proficient and speedy too! Our CD is going to be called 'A little advice on life and how not to live it' and it's full of two and a half minute pop rock tunes. It's gonna be great, as soon as we get the artwork together. Here are the photos from the day, including one sofa-based exhausted sigh afterwards.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=38&to=38 2005-10-18T21:32:07+00:00

My new bass amp rocks. Now I've heard valves and I'm never turning back!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=37&to=37 2005-10-18T21:15:43+00:00

And two Bento Boxes.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=36&to=36 2005-10-18T21:14:26+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=35&to=35 2005-10-18T21:13:32+00:00

Of my the elastic band that was lying on my doorstep yesterday morning!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=34&to=34 2005-10-18T21:12:55+00:00

Didn't go particularly well. I don't think we had enough light in our little back yard for them. The largest of the few that attempted to grow ended up infested with woodlice chomping away on the corn. Little blighters!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=33&to=33 2005-09-25T20:50:17+00:00

Made us into fatties!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=32&to=32 2005-09-22T22:01:41+00:00

Sus.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=31&to=31 2005-09-22T21:59:56+00:00

... As to where all these should go ... ?!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=30&to=30 2005-09-22T21:58:28+00:00

We moved house. We now live in Finsbury Park and have far far far too much stuff than is pleasant to move in a single day! Here's our new front door.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=29&to=29 2005-07-31T16:44:19+00:00

And we ended our holiday with some manky creamy mushroom, cheese and bacon pasta in Padstow. The cup of tea was nice though.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=28&to=28 2005-07-31T16:43:50+00:00

On the final day, Saturday, we visited some of the galleries around St. Ives. The Tate was a bit poor to be honest. The Barbara Hepworth was interesting and presented very well. But by far the best was a small shop/gallery called printmakersgallery.co.uk, which had some amazing paintings by a man named phil greenwood. I have no photos unfortunately.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=27&to=27 2005-07-31T16:38:24+00:00

Here's the Minack Theatre. There surely couldn't be a nicer place to see a play?

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=26&to=26 2005-07-31T16:36:40+00:00

We found some gorgeous beaches. This one was just below the Minack Theatre (one scary climb down some steps!). It was a pity the weather wasn't sunnier as it would have been really nice here - the water looked lush.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=25&to=25 2005-07-31T16:33:02+00:00

Eli held up a rock on St. Michael's Mount. Now that was a cool place. I could live there quite happily.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=24&to=24 2005-07-31T16:31:28+00:00

I made myself feel a little sick from clotted cream. My arteries are hurting a little.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=23&to=23 2005-07-31T16:30:52+00:00

We found the end of the world ... But it sucked.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=22&to=22 2005-07-31T16:29:14+00:00

We found some of these ...

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=21&to=21 2005-07-31T16:28:56+00:00

We met some animals ...

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=20&to=20 2005-07-31T16:27:32+00:00

We visited a good number of burial cairns [sp?], settlements and stone circles.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=19&to=19 2005-07-31T16:24:21+00:00

We went down Geevor mines, which were interesting. It was very strange to be walking round a museum of something that only just ended in the last 15 years, and also very strange to be shown around by the people who actually used to work in the mines.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=18&to=18 2005-07-31T16:22:16+00:00

One succesfully erected tent ... And some air bed pumping.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=17&to=17 2005-07-31T16:20:37+00:00

We had the week booked off work and decided, on Tuesday, to go camping, on Wednesday. Going against all of the weather reports and news of torrential rain and storms in Cornwall, we went on a hunt for Cornish pasties - St. Ives to be more specific. Here is the wicker man from the side of the M5 on the journey down there.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=16&to=16 2005-07-23T00:46:53+00:00

After weeks of playing Zelda - Majora's Mask on my Gamecube, I finally complete it. I got all of the masks meaning I got the Fierce Deity's Mask to fight the final battle with. All very very exciting for midnight on a Friday evening!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=15&to=15 2005-07-12T19:22:45+00:00

So, after years of thinking 'I wonder how much tattoos really hurt' and 'What if the pain is too much for me to take and I have to stop?' and being told 'nooo .. It doesn't hurt at all' ... I just 30 minutes ago finished getting my first one done, and it hurt just as much as I imagined it would - but not necessarily any more than I was expecting. The outline stings, but is very very quick, literally minutes. Then the filling in is a subtley duller pain, it's not at all dull, but it's the closest word I can think of to describe it. It *always* feels like there are tiny little needles being jabbed into you. It is covered in vaseline and cling-film at the moment - I have to take that off at 10pm and then keep it clean and use savlon three times daily. I hope it heals well.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=14&to=14 2005-07-12T19:16:19+00:00

My, now renamed, band's first album! We found it in Martian Records just up the road from where I live. I put it to the front everytime I go in there.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=13&to=13 2005-06-23T23:14:59+00:00

My girlfriend and I went Air Ballooning tonight. It was particulalry amazing, although I can't say I am one for heights ... Very very quiet and calm and extremely hot when the fire thing's going on. We landed somewhere on Liz Hurley's land!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=12&to=12 2005-06-22T21:41:43+00:00

... My girlfriend made a daisy caterpillar!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=11&to=11 2005-06-22T21:37:23+00:00

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=10&to=10 2005-06-14T18:44:24+00:00

Last night I went to see Weezer at the Carling Academy in Birmingham with my brother as his birthday present. Having spent 55 quid or so for the two tickets, I was however quite disappointed at the marked lack of effort given by Rivers. I hope it's not just me, but for someone who supposedly puts his all into his songwriting, scrapping whole album's worth of material etc etc ... I expected a little bit more passion from him when playing live. I think I will stick to liking Weezer on record and accept the fact they may well see gigging as a bit of a day job. So anyway, we had one of those new four for all square pizza hut things before we went in and got two extra free, which is never a bad thing!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=9&to=9 2005-06-14T11:45:53+00:00

It's true.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=8&to=8 2005-06-10T21:54:12+00:00

Look at it!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=7&to=7 2005-06-09T23:06:36+00:00

So the real reason we went to London for the day was because we were going to see Mark Mulcahy at the Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush. Mark Mulcahy I first saw supporting the unbelievable Truth when I was about 17 or 18, and then again when I was 20 ish in Oxford, and now this being the third time has to be my favourite. He had a full band with him this time, who were all brilliant and there was even some pedal-steel guitar, which I have loved ever since hearing a live version of Country Feedback by REM on a radio broadcast once. He has just released a new album, which I got a couple of weeks ago and hasn't been off my stereo since as it is just ram packed with the most beautiful songs, and so it was great to see them played live, although he didn't do as many as I was hoping for from this new album. Go forth, search, and buy. Bush hall had chandeliers!

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=6&to=6 2005-06-09T23:05:59+00:00

... A terminating train to be more exciting than this.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=5&to=5 2005-06-09T23:05:13+00:00

We took the day off work yesterday and spent it, or at least part of it, wandering around London. A little bit of Denmark Street for the vintage guitar shop followed by some Covent Garden where I had a particularly nice cornish pasty and a cup of tea.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=4&to=4 2005-06-07T20:38:37+00:00

It takes me about 45 minutes to drive home from work each night, which isn't a massively bad thing, except for the fact there are barely two decent overtaking spot along the whole journey. So getting stuck behind one of those old people's small, but really really tall cars. I can't remember what they're called, but they're a funny shape, obstruct all view of the road ahead, and generally don't get out of second gear! So this basically happened today on the way home and by about the 40th minute of staring at the back of this guy's head, we come tootling round a corner, just near my house, and he slams his brakes on, I slam my brakes on, suddenly my car makes this horrendous grinding noise, and we come to a rather annoyed stop.It turned out I didn't actually have any brakes anymore, just the metal that used to hold the brake pads.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=3&to=3 2005-06-07T20:28:27+00:00

I was asked the question 'Do you know how to make daisy chains?', to which I answered, cautiously 'Yes, it can't be that hard ...', to which I received the response 'Girl.' So I sucked up all my manliness and made a four-long daisy chain. There was a random trike in the vicinity.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=2&to=2 2005-06-04T17:54:56+00:00

So it was Friday lunch time and we were making our way to the local quality chicken establishment to see how sluggishly unproductive we could make ourselves for the afternoon, and look who was waiting for us in the lay by! We did, however, successfully evade all attacks by measuring our speed appropriately.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=1&to=1 2005-06-04T17:54:01+00:00

So this morning we went to a little organic cafe where I had a nice all day breakfast. It was tasty, although there were a lot of mushrooms. I also bought a handheld vacuum cleaner.

Rich http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/ contact@mono-no-aware.co.uk http://www.mono-no-aware.co.uk/blog.php?i=&from=0&to=0 2005-06-02T23:42:05+00:00

So I was trying to work out the best way of beginning this whole thing and all my tiny worn out mind could come up with was a self portrait.